World-Class Corvette Restomod Supercharged LS2 V8 6-speed Newman Suspension

A concours-restored first-generation Corvette is certainly something to admire. But, with whitewalls and all that chrome, it's easy to forget that these classics were once feared track warriors. By ushering in Chevrolet's legendary small block, it was the C1 that established the concept of America's Sports Car and created the foundation for the brand's 68-year legacy of world-class performance. To purists, nothing quite matches the feeling of stopping folks in their tracks while rumbling down Main Street in what many consider the best car we have to offer. And naturally, this sweet Vette pays tribute to that legacy with all the attributes you'd expect in a storied show-stopper: good looks, good power and good athletics. However, it's what you don't expect that makes this Chevy truly outstanding. You know, like it's show-finished Newman chassis, subtle body mods, custom-dyed leather upholstery and, of course, its supercharged Lingenfelter LS2. Ready to see the USA in an exceptional, one-of-a-kind Chevrolet? Check out this sweet pro-tourer!

ORANGE > RED

The product of a meticulously planned pro-touring build, this slick Corvette's smooth and sinuous body looks absolutely boss in a glossy coat of PPG Organic Orange two-stage. That brilliant pigment is accentuated by crisp PPG Wimbledon White coves that, like the aforementioned orange, was sprayed by the pros at Simi Valley, California's GTS Customs. Speaking of GTS Customs, this Chevy's no-hit fiberglass, hailing from sunny California, wears subtly widened quarters that gained a slight 1.5 inches during restoration. The car's fit and finish has been adjusted to better-than-factory tolerances, with surfaces that are as clean as the day they pulled into their SoCal showroom. And presently, this reborn roadster rolls as a timeless classic that instantly draws the eye!

Thanks to a little over 3,000 hours of restoration and tuning, this Chevy is 'right and ready to roll' all the way down to its smallest details. At the front of the car, a toothy grille reflects bright headlights, small parking lamps and a traditional header roundel. Intricate bumpers bend around stainless-trimmed fenders that follow traditional Corvette cross-flags with classy “Fuel Injection” scripts. A sculpted hood leads the eye past sporty scoops to a tinted greenhouse that's bent around the driver's choice of either tight canvas or professionally restored fiberglass. A stylish mirror reflects traditional door handles, 3M-coated quarters and 3M-coated rockers. And at the back of the car, artfully designed bumpers frame retro taillights, polished exhaust tips and a second translucent roundel.

LINGENFELTER + MAGNUSON

That cool combination of energetic pigment and classy resin is certainly pretty, but now it's time to get serious. Widely considered one of the world's greatest powerplants, GM's 6.0 liter LS2 utilizes aluminum construction, high performance internals and upgraded fuel injection to mix hours of thrills with miles of efficiency. But, sometimes, 400 horsepower just isn't enough. Luckily, the folks at Magnuson sell products like this Corvette's MP122 blower, and the folks at Lingenfelter Performance Engineering have plenty of experience crafting choice components into substantial horsepower. That's right, the LS2 vibrating this Chevy's seats is roughly $30K worth of supercharged small block marvel that was completely assembled by the pros at LPE. Just under the car's stock hood, a polished air box, a very intentional tribute to the Corvette's rare 1957 'Airbox' cold air induction option, feeds a polished Magnuson MP122 Magna Charger. That blower twists breeze through ported and polished heads, which hide stainless valves, PAC Racing springs and PAC Racing retainers under one-off billet valve covers. A modulated VaporWorx fuel system funnels fossils from a Rick's Vapor Series tank to polished rails. That fuel gets sparked by loomed Taylor Spiro Pro plug wires. Custom stainless headers, clad in weather-free chrome by Statesville, North Carolina's Kook's Headers, make quick work of quick combustion. A spry LPE GT11 cam spins in unison with a fancy serpentine drive that's stretched between a polished alternator, fluid power steering and a polished AC compressor. A polished Be Cool radiator works flawlessly with two cooling fans and a fabricated expansion tank. First-rate detailing includes polished hardware, braided hoses, a trick dipstick and a mirrored Baer master cylinder. And when the key twists, five pounds of boost seamlessly transitions to 565 dyno-proven horsepower at the flywheel, and 448 pavement-melting horsepower at the rear tires.

NEWMAN + X-FRAME

Bottom-side, a sturdy factory X-frame, purchased new during the build, proves the perfect foundation for this roadster's inspired resurrection. Behind the LS2, a twin-disc Centerforce DYAD DS clutch joins a steel Centerforce flywheel to kick a restoration-fresh Tremec 6-speed that's been strengthened by Lebanon, Pennsylvania's G-Force Transmissions. That T56, which mixes a quick MTI shifter with a polished housing and a QuickTime shield, spins 515 lb./ft. of torque to a fourth-generation Corvette Dana 44 that's finished with 3.54 gears and an Eaton Truetrac differential. That polished third-member is an integral part of a full Newman Car Creations suspension, which combines the inherent strength of the previously mentioned factory frame with the proven geometry of Chevrolet's fourth-generation Corvette. That much improved chassis, assembled, painted and polished to the tune of $50K, makes easy turns thanks to fourth-generation Corvette power rack-and-pinion steering. Proportioned stops are provided by fourth-generation Corvette calipers, which clamp four of Eradispeed's finest drilled and slotted rotors. Custom exhaust pipes, clad in weather-free chrome by Statesville, North Carolina's Kook's Headers, fill polished Magnaflow mufflers and polished turndowns that, unlike the aforementioned 'through-bumper' tips, allow the big motor to breathe unrestricted. And torque meets the pavement via forged Budnik Muroc IIIs, which spin 245/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport run flats in front of 275/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport run flats.

ORANGE > RED

Swivel this roadster's doors and you'll find a custom cockpit that combines timeless first-generation Corvette style with premium touchpoints and modern technology. Everything kicks off with quality Wise Guys buckets that are dressed in plush Al Knoch leather that was custom dyed by Newark, New Jersey's Custom Leather Finishers. In addition to reclining, those mitts feature correct waffle patterns under retractable, three-point belts. A two-tone dash stretches more custom dyed leather around original, LED-lit telemetry that, with the exception of the car's oil gauge, has been converted to electric. Those readouts border a quartz clock, Vintage Air climate control and a stock-appearing, MP3-compatible head unit that, completely rebuilt by Antique Automobile Radio, bumps an Alpine four-channel amp and Elemental Designs speakers. Custom Orange and Ivory side panels, stamped by Al Knoch, front modern power windows above custom Orange carpet that's nested on thick sound insulation. A parking-brake-light-turned-shift-indicator lets the driver know when to toggle a factory shift lever that's been engraved with a correct Tremec pattern. And the driver spins a reduced diameter steering wheel around a shortened column.

The goal of this Corvette's build was to create a classic that, while maintaining a relatively stock appearance, blended the best aspects of modern comfort, modern drivability and modern performance. The result is a car that, in addition to offering an addictive driving experience, wraps timeless looks around exceptional detail and effortless power. Ready to experience 'muscle motoring' at its very finest? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte!

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HIGHLIGHTS

* Incredible Corvette pro-tourer that's the product of a professional, 3,000-hour build
* 6.0 liter GM LS2 V8 that was professionally assembled by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
* Magnuson MP122 supercharger and 565 dyno-proven horsepower
* Professionally strengthened Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission
* Dana 44 third-member with an Eaton Truetrac differential and 3.54 gears
* Modern air conditioning
* Fourth-generation Corvette power rack-and-pinion steering
* Fourth-generation Corvette 4-wheel power disc brakes
* Modified factory X-frame with a full Newman Car Creations suspension
* Custom Orange and Ivory leather interior with modern audio
* Widened bodywork with PPG Organic Orange and Wimbledon White paint
* PPG Organic Orange hardtop and a White soft top
* 17 and 18-inch Budnik Muroc III wheels
* Lingenfelter engine specs
* Lingenfelter dyno results
* Newman chassis receipts
* All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
* We can ship your new classic anywhere in the world